Cinematographic apparatus



March 19, 1929. s JAMES 1,706,296

C INEMATOGRAPHI C APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24, 1924 2 Sheets-$heet 1 I12. II I I I March 19, 1929. G. 5. JAMES 1,706,296

CINEMATOGRAPHI C APPARATUS Filed an- 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N VEN TO RPatented Mar. 119, 1929.

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nuns, or wEs'rqLIrr'eoN-sm, ENGLAND, AssIeNoa or ONE-nan T HENRY HARRISLLOYD, or LONDON, ENGLAND.

crNnmaroeaarnrc arraaarus.

fipplication filed January 24, 12:24. Serial No] 688,264.

4 This invention relates to cinematographic apparatus of the kind inwhich a continuous band of film is guided into and drawn ofi from a coilof film resting on its edge on a rotary table, the film being led-tothe'outer laps of the coil and drawn 01f from the inner laps, or led tothe inner laps and drawn ofi' from the outer laps, so that the length offilm in the coil remains substantially constant whilst the apparatus isin operation.

i The said invention comprises improved" means for keeping the innerlaps of the coil wound in close formation Within the laps wound outsidethem and forpreventing the diameter ofthe inner lap from being re ducedto le'ssthan a predetermined" length.

According to this invention a series of rollers arranged in a circularrow are provided mounted omaxes extending perpendicularly or'nearlyperpendicularly to the film receiving. surface of the said rotary table.These axes are mounted to. slide in -,slots extendin radially orsubstantially radially from t e axis 'of the table and are urged towardsthe outer ends of the slots by springs. The slots may be formed in therotary. table, or in a separate plate or frame a which maybe stationaryor movable. The rotary table'may be formed by a single disc or it may bedivided concentrically into separate/parts each of which may be rotatedindependentl of the other parts, so that the.

rotational e ort transmitted to any part of the film may. varyas thispart-of the film table. f With this arrangement, when the tension on theinner laps of the coil of film increases above a predetermined amount sothat these laps tend to move inwards away from the moved inwardly in theslots, but assdon as the tension in the film decreases the'rollers willmove outwardly carrying-the inner laps of the coil with thein.- In ordertoprevent the formation of loose loops of film near to the coil on thetable due toslacknessof'the film, suitable film tensioning devices may eprovided.

The invention is hereinafter described as cabinet type which the coilsupportin rotary table together with suitable opticahdevices arearranged in a cabinet'having a mil"- ror and screen mounted therein sothat a illustrating a further modified arrangementv closing an opticalprojection apparatus 11 by which light-is projected upwardly tomovesradially to different positions on the.

- surrounding laps, then the rollers will be applied to cinematographicapparatusof the light ray projected vertically upward in the cabinet bythe optical apparatus is reflected horizontally outwards from thecabinet. i

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows in sectional elevation acabinet enclosing film carrying mechanism in accordance with thisinvention. 1

Figure 2 is a view, on a larger scale, of the rotary table, opticalprojection apparatus and film tensioning device shown in Figure 1, therotary table being shown'in central section, and i I Figure 3 is a planthereof.

Figure 4 is a detail view of a film lubricating device hereinafterreferred to. v

Figure 5 is a sectional view and Figure 6. is a plan illustrating amodified construc- 7 tion of the rotary table.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 of the rotary table, and Figure 8is a detail plan view of a slide block mounted in the said table.

Referring to Figural, 10 is a cabinet enwards a frame 12 hinged to thecabinet at 13 and carrying amirror at 14 and a screen either at 15 or 16so that the projected light focussed on the screen is visible fromoutside the cabinet. The frame 12 can be lowered about the hinge 13 intothe cabinet and coveredwith a lid 17 which can be shut when theapparatus ,is not inuse. A'film supporting rotary table 18 withitssurrounding guard rim 19 and a film tensioning device comprising ajockey pulley 20 are mounted within, this cabinet. 'To prevent theinterior of the cabinet from becoming excessively hot by heat radiatedfrom the projection apparatus 11 and its motor 21, a fan 22 is arrangedto draw air away from the heated parts and to'discharge it through apipe 28 which conducts it to the outside of the cabinet.

The rotary table 18 is shown built up of concentric parts 18, 1 8,18"(Figures 2land 3) which are individually driven'by toothed gea'ring24,25, as shown, tir by any other suitable driving connections arranged toimpart different speeds to each part of the table as required either inthe same or in oppositedirections. If desired the upper surface of thetable may be made of any suitable con;

tour n cross sectlon, and a unitary table may 4110' A K r I over whichthe borders, or those parts of the film which are usually perforatedwith sprocket holes, are drawn to lubricate the film and to preserve itssuppleness.

The frame 31 comprising an upper and a lower ring or plate is heldagainst rotation by an arm 32 connected to a link 33 pivotally mountedon the guard rim 19. This frame 31'has a circular movement iniparted toit by an eccentric 34 formed on .the table 18 around a central aperture'35 therein, and the said framehasfa circular row of radial slots 36formed vtherein in which pins 37 are mounted to carry rollers 38. Thepins 37 are held at the outer ends of the slots 36 by springs 39." o

The film 27 is lapped around the rollers 38 which prevent the inner lapsof the coil thus formed from being pulled away from the laps nextsurrounding them, and so long as the tension on the inner laps of thefilmdoes not exceed a certain amount the pins 2 are held in a circularrow at the outer ends of the slots. When the tension on the inner j thatof the adjacent rollers.

; laps exceeds a certain amount the springs 39 thus limiting thereduction of the diameter of the innermost laps. When the tensionsubsequently decreases, the springs return the rollers to the outerendsof the slots thereby opening out the inner laps of the coil. The rollers38 may be conical, or concave or of any suitable shape and some oftherollers may be of a different shape from The pins 37 are shown setsubstantially at right angles to the surface of the table 18 but each orany of the rollers may be inclined at any convenient angle.

The part of the film bent out from the inner coil may ass between tworollers mounted in the ame 31 and these rollers are preferably conicalor arranged at a con-' lengths are added to and taken from the coil atopposite ends respectively the angular velocities of the different lapsmust differ correspondin ly. Thus there is a varying amount of Sllpthroughout the coil but this the jockey pulley, the pivot. of which canbe movably mounted in a ideway instead of being carried on a pivotedarm. By forming the table 18 with a central aperture To prevent in j theoptical apparatus 11 can be placed in line below the said table and theprojected beam of light passed through this aperture 'tothe screen. Thisprovides a very compact construction. The film 27 passing across theline of projection is guided by two pairs of rollers 43 and 43 arrangedin lineand on opposite sides of the line of pro-' jection, as will beunderstood from a consideration of Figs. 2 and 3.

Instead of the eccentric'34 formed around the aperture 35 in the table18, the table may be made without this aperture as shown in Figures 5and 6, and then the lower ring or plate ofthe frame 31 may be providedwith a cross bar 44 having a' hole therein to accommodate a pin 45'holding the frame concentric with the table, or movable into any one ofa series of eccentric holes 46 in the table to serve as a crank'pin forimparting circular movement to the frame 31 held against rotation by thearm 32 and link In a further modified arrangement illustrated in Figures7 and 8, instead of mounting the rollers 38 in a frame separate from thetable, the roller pins 37 are mbunted in slide blocks 47 moved outwardlyin slots 48 formed in the table by springs 49. In the case of a tablecomprising concentric parts, the part in which the blocks 47 areslidably mounted can be held against rotation. This construction allowsthe table to be provided with a central aperture similar to the aperture35 in the table shown in Figure 2.

I claim 1. Cinematograph apparatus comprising an optical projectionapparatus, a 'rotary table mounted above said projection apparatus andhaving an aperture in alignment with the optical center of saidprojection apparatus means for guiding a continuous band of film'edgewise on to and from the table, a circular row of rollers aroundwhich the film is lapped and which are supported substantiallyperpendicular to the; table,

yieldin i supports arranged to allow movemeans for thesaid rollers,amovableframe Y ment the rollersradially with reference carrying saidsupporting means, means for to the said table, and means for keepingunguiding a continuous length of film to and der tension parts of thefilm passing from from a coil of film formed around the said andreturning to the table. rollers," and means comprlsing the table as a 2.Cinematographic apparatus comprising driving'element for transmitting agyrato'ry an pptical projection apparatus, an apermovement to the saidframe. tured rotary table mount d above said projection apparatus, withthe aperture in-aligntical pro ection apparatus, an apertured inent withthe optical centre of said projectablerotatalolymounted above the proection tion apparatus, means for guiding a conapparatus with theaperture in alignment 'tlIlllOUS band of film-edgewise onto and fromwith the optical centre of said projection the table, a circular row ofrollers around apparatus, a" circular row of rollers mounted which thefilm on the table is lapped, and above the said table, a radiallymovable supineans for keeping under tension parts of the porting meansfor each roller individually, film passing from and returning to thetable. a movable frame carry ng said supporting 3S Cineihatographicapparatus comprising means, "means for guiding .acontinuous an ppticalprojection apparatus, .an aperlength of film to and from a coil of filmtured r'otarytable mounted above said proformed around the said rollers,and means jection apparatus, with the aperture in for imparting agyratory movement to the alignment withthe optical centre of said saidframe from the rotary table. projection apparatus,v.means for guiding a8. In cinematographic apparatus, an opcontinuous' band' of film edgewiseonto and tical projection apparatus, an aperturcd from the table, acircular row of rollers table rotatably mounted above the projectionaround which the film on the table is lapped, j apparatus] with theaperture in alignment and means for applying tension to parts of withthe optical centre of ,said projection the film not lapped around thesaidrollers. apparatus, a circular row of rollers mounted of filmedgewise on to and from the table,

,and returning to the laps around the rollers.

4. In cinematographic apparatus, anloptiabove the said table, calprojection apparatus, an apertured porting means for each rollerindividually, rotary table mounted above said projection a movable framecarrying said supporting apparatus with the aperture in alignment means,means for imparting a gyratory 7. In cinematographic apparatus, an oparadially movable sup- 9 with the optical centre of said projectionmovement to the said frame from the rotary apparatus, saide tablecomprising concentric table,

a link connection to a fixed'part to parts, means for guiding acontinuous band prevent'rotation of the frame, and means for a guiding acontinuous length of film to and circular row of rollersaround which'thefilm from a coil of film formed around the said is lappedand which aresupported substanrollers. j p tially perpendicular to th table, pins on9. In cinematographic apparatus, an optiwhich the rollers are rotatablymounted, cal projection apparatus, an apertured tablc' means for.supporting the said pins so that rotatably mounted above the projectionap-c they are movable radially with reference to paratus with theaperture in alignment with the axis of the table,'and means for applytheoptical centre of said projection apparaing tension to the parts of thefilm leaving tus, a circular row of. rollers mounted above 5 Incinematographic apparatus, an optimeans for each roller individually, amovable. cal pro ection apparatus,- an apertured rotary frame carryingsaid supporting means, table comprising concentric parts mounted meansfor imparting a gyratory movement above said pro ection apparatus withthe to the said frame from the rotary table, a

aperture in alignment-with the optical centre link connection to a fixedpart to prevent roof said projection apparatus, means for rotation ofthe. frame, means for guiding a tating each part of said tableindependently, 'hontinuous length of film to and from a coil a row ofrollers mounted above the said of film formed around-the said rollers,and table, radially movable supporting means for means for taking up'slackne ss at parts of the said rollers, means or"guiding a cone thefilm not'in the said coil.

tinuous length of film to and, from a coil'of 10. In cinematographicapparatus, an opfilm around the said' rollersyand means for ticalprojection appara us, an- I apertured taking up slackness at parts ofthg film not table rotatably mounted-above the projection in said coil.j Y apparatus with the aperture inalignment 6. Incinematographicapparatus, an "optiwith the optical centre of saidprojection apcal projection apparatus,'an apertured table paratus, acircular row of rollers mounted rotatably mounted. abovethe projectionap- -above the said table, guide-pulleys arranged paratus with theaperture in'alignment with to conduct a continuous length of film to"the optical centre 'of said projection apand from a coil of film formedaround the paratus, a row of rollers mounted above the said rollers,radially movable supporting said table, radially inovable supportingmeans for individual rollers arranged to move inwardly under the tensionof the film,

and a Inovably supported jockey pulley arranged to take up slackness atparts of the film not. inthe said coil.

11. In cinematographic apparatus, an optical projection apparatus, anapertured rotary table comprising independently rotatableparts mountedabove the projection apparatus with the aperture in alignment with theoptical centre of said projection apparatus, means for rotating eachpart of said table separately, a circular row of rollers mounted abovethe table on supports separately movable radially with respect to theaxis of the table, guide pulleys arranged to conduct a continuous lengthof film to and from a coil of film formed around the said rollers, apivoted counter-Weighted arm and a jockey pulley carried by said arm andpressed against the film by the counterweight.

12. In cinematographic apparatus, an optical projection apparatus, anapertured table rotatably mounted above the projection apparatus, withthe aperture in alignment with the optical centre of said projectionapparatus, a circular row of rollers supported above the table, meansfor guiding a continuous length of film to and from a coil formed aroundthe rollers, movable support-' ing means for individual rollers arrangedto move radially outwardly under the action of springs and inwardlyunder the tension of the film, means for maintaining under ten sionparts of the film outside the said coils, and a stationary guard rimaround the edge of the said table.

13. In cinematographic apparatus, an optical projection apparatus, anapertured table rotatably mounted above the projection apparatus, withthe aperture in alignment with the optical centre of said projectionapparatus, a circular row of rollers mounted above the said table, aradially movable supporting means for each roller individually, amovable frame carrying said supporting means, means for imparting agyratory .movement to the said frame from the rotary movement of thetable, a stationary guard rim around the said table, a link connectionbetween the movable frame and the stationary rim, and means for guidinga continuous length of'film to and from a coil of film formed around thesaid rollers.

14. In cinematographic apparatus, an optical projection apparatus, anapertured table rotatably mounted above the projection apparatus, withthe aperture in alinement with the optical center of the said projectionapparatus, a circular row of rollers mounted above the table around thesaid aperture, radially movable supporting means for the said rollers,and means for guiding a continuous length of film to and from a coil offilm formed around the said rollers.

15. In cincmatograph apparatus, an optical projection apparatus, anapertured table rotatably mounted above the projection apparatus withthe aperture in alignment with the optical centre of said projectionapparatus, a stationary guard rim around the edge of the said table, acircular row of rollers mounted above the table around the saidaperture, radially moving supporting means for the said rollers, andmeans for guiding a continuous length of film to and from a coil formedaround the said rollers into alignment with the optical centre of thesaid projection apparatus. i v

16. In cinematograph apparatus, an optical projection apparatus, anapertured row of rollers mounted above the table 7 around the saidaperture, radially moving supporting means for the said rollers, andmeans for guiding a continuous length of film to and from a coil formedaround the said rollers into alignment with the optical centre of thesaid projection apparatus.

17. In a cinematograph, a projection apparatus, a rotary tablecomprising a central disc and a series of rings arranged concentricallyaround said disc, means for independently rotating each part of saidtable, a circular row of rollers arranged above and within the area ofsaid disc portion of the table, radially yielding supports arranged toallow movement of said rollers, means for simultaneously feeding filmedge- Wise on to and or from a coil of film lapped around said rollers,a stationary guard rim around the edge of said table guide rollers forthe film mounted on said stationary guard rim, and means for guiding thefilm fed from the coil on said table into alignment

